In Sermon Illustrations: "Come Aside"

A Problem Worthy Of God

Contributed by Bob Marcaurelle on Jan 18, 2010

A PROBLEM WORTHY OF GOD Martin Luther says the fact that a moral and just God can let the guilty go unpunished is "a problem worthy of God." Any judge who sets a guilty person free with no punishment is immoral and unjust. Suppose a Judge has a man before him who is guilty, but has truly had a ...read more

Tags: Atonement

Denomination: Baptist

Larry Lea, Who Used To Serve As A Pastor In ...

Contributed by Isaac Butterworth on Mar 6, 2010

Larry Lea, who used to serve as a pastor in Rockwall, Texas, has a course on the Lord’s Prayer. When he teaches people how to pray this petition -- “Your kingdom come” -- he asks them to draw an imaginary circle around themselves and not to emerge from that circle until all their priorities are in ...read more

Tags: Kingdom Of God

Denomination: Presbyterian/Reformed

Money

Contributed by Ed Vasicek on Aug 29, 2010

Married for many years, Paul had been ignored by his wife, Liz, for some days, so eventually he confronted her with what he perceived as the problem. 'Come on Liz, admit it,' he ranted, 'You only married me because my granddad left me $6 million, didn't you?' 'You really are silly, Paul,' retorted ...read more

Tags: Marriage Struggle

Denomination: Independent/Bible

Invitation Needed

Contributed by William L. Vincent on Aug 6, 2011

INVITATION NEEDED I have recently been contacted by a Pastor in Nigeria who is wanting us to come and preach a crusade there. But you cannot just fly into Nigeria; you have to be invited. The local Pastor has to send an official letter of invitation, that letter must state what I would be visiting ...read more

Tags: Prayer Of Faith

Denomination: Orthodox

A Friend Inside Me

Contributed by Thomas Cash on Aug 15, 2011

A FRIEND INSIDE ME When Abraham Lincoln was running the country, he had lots of chances to make shady deals and enhance himself financially. But this is what he said about his Presidency: "I desire so to conduct the affairs of this administration that if at the end, when I come to lay down the ...read more

Tags: Character

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

What We Can Learn From Noah

Contributed by Johnny A. Palmer Jr. on Dec 9, 2011

WHAT WE CAN LEARN FROM NOAH God has much too teach us, one person observed a few things they learned from Noah: 1. Don't miss the boat! 2. Plan ahead. It wasnt raining when Noah built the ark. 3. Stay ready. It was not until Noah was 600 years old that God asked him to do ...read more

Tags: Opportunity

Denomination: Baptist

You Gotta Look At It!  PRO

Contributed by Sermon Central on Aug 22, 2012

YOU GOTTA LOOK AT IT! A man was seated on a park bench when a little chap of about five sat down beside him and started winding what appeared to be a most prized possession--a watch. "My, what a pretty watch," remarked the man. "Does it tell you the time?" "No sir," replied the boy; "you gotta ...read more

Scripture: John 17:17

Tags: Hold, Bible Truth

The Importance Of Having The Right Desires Is ...

Contributed by Paul Barreca on Dec 29, 2012

The importance of having the right desires is illustrated in the Christmas film, “It’s a Wonderful Life.” This film contains a powerful theme of REDEMPTION. Hollywood could not come up with a film like this today! If you remember the story, George’s life is falling apart because he DESIRES ...read more

Scripture: 2 Corinthians 5:21

Tags: Disappointment, Heart's Desires

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Most Of Us Don't Mind Jesus Making Some Minor ...  PRO

Contributed by Kevin Karhoff on Feb 18, 2013

Most of us don’t mind Jesus making some minor change in our lives but Jesus wants to turn our lives upside down. Fans don’t mind him doing a little touch up work, but Jesus wants complete renovation. Fans come to Jesus thinking tune up, but Jesus is thinking overhaul. Fans think a little makeup ...read more

Scripture: John 3:11-18, John 3:1-18

Tags: Jesus Christ

Denomination: Presbyterian/Reformed

The $100,000 Car, The Thief, & The Tree Of Knowledge

Contributed by Jason Evans on Oct 4, 2016

Let’s say there is a man who owns a brand new $100,000 car. He decides he wants to take it out one day to go to the store and parks in a lot around a lot of other cars. When he comes out it has been stolen. When they find the thief and arrest him the thief says "Well you should have known better ...read more

Tags: Temptation, Temptation General, Tree Of Knowledge, Guilt Of Sin

Denomination: *other

Snake Eggs

Contributed by Steve Kinnard on Feb 15, 2019

SNAKE EGGS There are some things that strike terror in the hearts of most of us. For most of us a poisonous snake causes our bodies to shake with fear. Can you imagine being trapped in a small room with 1000 deadly vipers? That is not a very pleasant thought, but we as humans let Satan sow snake ...read more

Scripture: Isaiah 59:1-10

Tags: Sin, Terror

Denomination: Pentecostal

We Can Witness, But We Cannot Convert

Contributed by Ed Vasicek on Nov 18, 2019

We may use all means, by but we cannot command success. We may teach, but we cannot convert. We may show those around us the bread and water of life, but we cannot make them eat and drink it. We may point out the way to eternal life, but we cannot make others walk in it. ‘It is the Spirit that ...read more

Scripture: Luke 15:1-10

Tags: Evangelism, Family, Witnessing, Unbelief, Straying  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Independent/Bible

Good News Bad News

Contributed by Ed Vasicek on Jun 9, 2020

A woman walks into a doctor’s office. She schedules an appointment and sits down it the waiting room. Whem it’s her turn to talk to the doctor, she describes all of her symptoms, and they’re unlike anything he’s heard before. The doctor runs a few tests and steps out of the room. He comes back ...read more

Scripture: Romans 8:18-27

Tags: Curse, Disease, Sickness, Illness, Redemption Of Body  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Independent/Bible

Funeral Illustration

Contributed by Dr. Larry Petton on Jan 4, 2021

I love that scene in The Pilgrim's Progress where Christian and Hopeful come to the final river of death. They are fearful that the water will be over their heads. But Hopeful goes first and calls back to Christian, “Be of good cheer, my brother; I feel the bottom, and it is good.” For every ...read more

Tags: Death, Heaven, Promises Of God, Valley Of The Shadow Of Death

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Preach!

Contributed by Dr. Larry Petton on Jan 25, 2021

“PREACH” The word, “preach” comes from the Greek word, kerusso, and means to proclaim as a herald or make a proclamation in a public gathering. The herald may not even have liked the message he was to proclaim or the people may not have wanted to hear it and, thus, the temptation for the herald ...read more

Scripture: 2 Timothy 3:16-17, 2 Timothy 4:1-3

Tags: Preaching, Pastors, Churches, The Word Of God

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Why Doesn't God Answer?

Contributed by Dr. Larry Petton on Feb 13, 2022

The preacher's 5 year-old daughter noticed that her preacher father always paused and bowed his head for a moment before starting his sermon. One day she asked him why. The Pastor was so proud that his daughter was so observant of his mesages. He smiled and answered, "Well, honey, ...read more

Tags: Jokes, Fathers, Sermons, Preachers, Children, Prayer, Pastors  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Mom, Why Do You Have White Hair???

Contributed by Dr. Larry Petton on May 5, 2022

One day, a little girl is sitting and watching her mother do the dishes at the kitchen sink. She suddenly notices that her mother has several strands of white hair sticking out in contrast to her brunette hair. She looks at her mother and inquisitively asks: “Why are some of your hairs white, ...read more

Tags: Sermon Introductions, Aging, Humor, Mothers, Mother's Day, Grandmothers  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Jesus Honored Marriage And Weddings

Contributed by Dr. Larry Petton on Nov 7, 2022

Note the high honor our Lord places upon marriage and the wedding ceremony in his very first miracle. It honors God when we come to a wedding pure and proclaim our trust in God for the marriage to succeed! By his presence at the marriage feast, the Son of God said, ‘This is an honorable thing’ ...read more

Tags: Jesus, Marriage, Miracles, Weddings

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Is The Solar Eclipse A Sign Of The Last Days?

Contributed by Dr. Larry Petton on Apr 6, 2024

“The Bible says a number of times that there’s going to be lots of signs in the heavens before Jesus Christ returns to Earth. What about the Solar Eclipse that is coming on April 8? We see this as possibly one of those." “However, my number one encouragement to people would be to just ...read more

Tags: Revelation, Salvation, Hope, End Times, Prophecy, Last Days, Son Of God, Sun, Return Of Christ, Solar Eclipse  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Sports Widow Gets Even

Contributed by Ed Vasicek on Jan 22, 2025

"'Cash, check or charge?' I asked, after folding items the woman wished to purchase.  As she fumbled for her wallet, I noticed a remote control for a television set in her purse. 'So, do you always carry your TV remote?' I asked. 'No,' she replied, 'but my ...read more

Scripture: Romans 12:19

Tags: Marriage, Sports, Revenge, Getting Even, Sports Widow  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Independent/Bible